We’re back in Los Angeles after three fantastic days of networking, learning, and BBQ in Saint Louis. The first MoCann BizCon + Expo exceeded all of our expectations, and we hope that all of you had a great experience learning more about what MMLG does for the cannabis industry. Here are five key takeaways that you can apply to your Missouri canna-biz.

Five Key Takeaways from MoCann

1. Missouri’s Pre-Application Window Is Your Canna-biz’s Best Friend: June will be here before you know it, and you won’t have the time between the pre-application window closing and application deadlines to get everything done. The pre-application window provides a long runway for laying out the details and minutiae of your company’s business plan. Take advantage of that time. We know “there’s no time like the present” can be pretty hollow and cliche, but seriously: there’s no time like the present. Do your due diligence and vetting on every aspect of the cannabis industry in Missouri, talk with others in Missouri and outside on experiences and difficulties, mock-up and scrutinize your business model.
2. Competitive License Applications Are No Joke: We know that statewide there will be less than 400 licenses doled out across all cannabis sectors. We also know that there were well over 1,300 attendees at MoCann’s Biz + Expo. Do the math and stack the numbers in your favor by developing an air-tight license application. We’ve seen exactly how challenging the competitive scoring rubrics have been in cities across California and we expect the same level of competition in Missouri.
3. Missouri’s Shaping Up To Be Focused On Medical Aspects of Licensure: We don’t know the final regs yet, but all signs are pointing to Missouri putting heavy emphasis on the medical aspects of the license application. That means you can really give your company a leg up by having experienced medical professionals on your side. We were absolutely impressed by how many curious would-be canna-preneurs were walking around Union Station and had medical experience.
4. “I Don’t Have Cannabis Experience”: We heard a version of this from a lot of folks. Having legal cannabis experience, or finding a strategic partner with some, obviously will help your case. Having experience in a highly regulated industry such as banking, pharmaceutical, or healthcare will also help your case. If you have questions about your background and CV just ask us for some help.
5. Overwhelming Excitement for Missouri MMJ: Lastly, we were blown away by the exuberance and entrepreneurial energy we saw across all of MoCann’s BizCon + Expo. From the minute we walked into the networking event on Sunday night until we boarded our flight on Tuesday evening, we couldn’t believe the excitement we saw. Looking forward to watching that enthusiasm gain even more momentum in Missouri.